living
Usage
What are other ways to say living?
Living and livelihood (a somewhat more formal word), both refer to what one earns to keep (oneself) alive, but are seldom interchangeable within the same phrase: to earn one's living; to threaten one's livelihood. “To make a living” suggests making just enough to keep alive, and is particularly frequent in the negative: You cannot make a living out of that. “To make a livelihood out of something” suggests rather making a business of it: to make a livelihood out of knitting hats. Maintenance refers usually to what is spent for the living of another: to provide for the maintenance of someone. Maintenance occasionally refers to the allowance itself provided for livelihood: They are entitled to a maintenance from this estate.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Police say Damian A. made their lives "a living hell".
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026
DHS has boasted about instances when wellness checks reportedly helped a minor escape a dangerous living situation.
From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026
With greater disconnection from home and tight living quarters, mental health could pose the greatest danger to astronauts on such missions, Platts said.
From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026
For more formal occasions, there is a dining room located just off the living room.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026
In the morning, as golden light spilled through the living room window, I took a dozen photos of the hat.
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
